Inspired by the International Day of Families and the International Father’s Day and in conjunction with UNFPA’s State of the World Population 2023 report “8 billion lives, infinite possibilities: the case for rights and choices”, UNFPA Kosovo partnered with the Mural Fest artist collective to paint four murals that explore the topic of strong families and gender-responsive family policies.

The four murals were selected from over 50 submissions of proposals/sketches that had been received in the process and were painted in the municipalities of Ferizaj, Gjilan, Kaçanik and Pristina, where the project partners inaugurated them with municipal authorities. The goal was to instigate a public conversation within the local communities on challenging traditional gender norms and inspire thinking about gender-responsive family policies. Check out the murals and info about their artists and meaning here:

The mural in Pristina by artists Emona Deda & Albiona Berisha symbolizes the full spectrum of joy and challenges of being a mother, a wife, and a professional in contemporary society.

The mural in Gjilan by artist Elba Gashi symbolizes the strives of a mother and a professional to raise up to challenges like child health care, while taking pride in ignoring diverse social stigmas.

The mural in Kaçanik by artist Dren Osmani is dedicated to the elderly who take on the role of our allies in creating positive social change. 

The mural in Ferizaj by artist Rema Salihu visualizes the joy of a father involved in child care and upbringing, promoting simultaneously equal parenting and gender equality across the board.